Show-case



2 NI 3 s NA G GW 0 (No Model.)

Patented Feb. 22, 1887-.

Witness es;

UNITED STATESv PATENT Orrrcn.

WILLIAM J. GANNON, OF FORT DODGE, ASSIGNOR OF THREE-FOURTHS TO WILLIAM L. OBRICK AND MICHAEL J. MULGREW, BOTH OF DUBUQUE,

IOWA

SHOW-CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 358,391, dated February 22, 1887.

Application filed November 11, 1886. Serial No. 218,589. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. G-ANNON, of Fort Dodge, in the county of Webster and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Show-Gases; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

Myinvention is an improved case for the exhibition of goods of various descriptions.

1:0 It is designed to secure compactness, ample exposure of the goods, capacity, readiness of +3 access, and ornamental appearance.

It consists, essentially, of a case composed of sections, circular or approximately circular 5 in horizontal section, and conical or approximately conical in elevation, with tiers of boxes i or compartments in the sections, resting one above another in stepped arrangement.

I It consists, further,of independently-revolvw l ing sections arranged as above described; and, 1 further, of covers for the compartments ofeach lower tier, arranged to slide under thetier next above.

It also includes a lower case of drawers,

f2 5 compartments, or shelves, in combination with the above-described revolving conical case.

My invention also includes details of construction, auxiliary to the main features above set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents the case in side elevation, with a part in section. Figs. 1 and 1 show details in detached views. Fig. 2 is a top or plan view of the case.

In these drawings, A, B, and 0 indicate the sections; but although only three are shown, I do not limit myself to this number, as the principle is applicable to any desired number. The sections thereof are represented more 40 clearly in Fig. 2 as polygonal in cross-section;

but they may be exactly circular, if desired. They are pivoted on a central shaft or spindle, D, which is fixed in a suitable base. In the form shown in Fig. 1 the spindle is set in the top of a revolving case adapted to stand on the floor, but the sectional case is adapted, as well, and is designed in use, also, to stand on a simple base fitted to rest upon a counter or like support. The section G forms the lower part of the sectional case. Its lower part may be cylindrical, or, as shown, a low plain polygon. The upper part is in the form of a plain truncated polygonal pyramid, in the faces of which are the glass'covers over each compartment a. These cove-rs may be either hinged or detach- 5 5 able; but I have shown them as sliding in grooves 2, Fig. 1, into the interior of the case when uncovering the compartment. Thecovers are rectangular and one or more in each face. The compartments or boxes are inclined. the bottom corresponding to or parallel with the face or cover, as shown in Fig. 1, on the right-hand side, where the case is half in vertical central section. As all the compartments in the faces which are in thesame vertical line are in parallel planes,the covers of the lower section may slide up in opening underneath the section next above, as shown in dotted lines in the lower right-hand section of Fig. 1. Each section is provided with radial bars or arms extending to and fixed upon a central sleeve, M, fitted loosely on the central post, so that the section may turn on said post. The post has under each sleeve a vertically: adjustable collar, m, held by a set-screw. This collar is set so as to allow the section to fit down as close to its base ,or to the next section as it may without frictional contact with said base or section. It is supported on the collar. The sections are all thus made independently rotary on the same post. Around the upper edge of each lower section is a fiat ring or flange, d, and a similar equal ring, 0, is fixed to or forms the face of the lower part of the next upper section. One of these, (the upper, as shown,) has its face grooved, as shown in Figs. 1 and l", and in the other is set a pin which projects into the groove. The groove is interrupted, as shown at 1, Fig. 1", so that when the pin is brought to the ungrooved part the rotary motion of the section is interrupted, and it can be turned only backward from this point. Manifestly, the groove may be in the face of the structure, and separate rings may be dispensed with.

In the inclined sections there are spaces left between the glass doors, and corresponding spaces beneath for compartments, broad at the bottom and narrow at the top. Of these I make separate compartments, which are useful for many purposes, and provide them with covers, as shown at b. The central post, D, has a detachable knob on. its top, which surmounts a cappiece bearing directly on the upper section. The sections, therefore, may be separately removed by detaching the k nob and taking oil the cap-piece N.

The inclined position of the compartments in each section exposes the contents to view, and the stepped arrangement gives a large number in a comparatively limited space. The stepped arrangement also allows the covers of the lower section to slide under the one next above. I do not, however, limit myselfto the sliding cover, as thecovers of the compartments may be hinged, as shown in the left hand of Fig. 1.

I prefer to place the compartments or boxes of all the sections in lines parallel with each other, running from the circumference to the center; but if the hinged covers be used the angles may vary without detriment. I have shown in Fig. 1 the sectional case mounted upon a polygonal lower case, which forms the base, and which is also supported and turns upon the post D. This post, therefore, is made to extend down through the lower case, and is fixed in a suitable base on the plate or floor I. The lower case, which may be cylindrical as well as polygonal, is provided with glass doors F in one row, file-boxes G in another, and hinged doors H in the lower. It has also narrow spaces h, adapted for books. These are given only as samples of the uses to which this lower case may be put.

I prefer to provide the lower case with a stop similar to that described for the sections of the upper case, but arrange the stops so that the 1 lower case may turn in one direction and the sections of the upper in the other direction.

The compartments or boxes are not only available for the exhibition of articles for sale, but as places of storage for such articles, from which they may be sold. Articles such as buttons may be so stored.

Additional sections may be added at any time by simply inserting a longer spindle or post and adding a newlower section.

I claim- 1. A case composed of sections insubstantially circular or polygonal form in the lower part, and with the upper part of each section in the form of a truncated cone or pyramid, the sections being placed one above the other in stepped arrangement and provided with a series of boxes, substantially as described.

2. A case composed of sections, the upper part of which is in the form of a truncated cone or pyramid, placed one above the other in stepped arrangement, each section provided with a series of inclined boxes or compartments, and the sections being independently pivoted upon a central post, substantially as described.

3. In combination, the sections, as C and B. arranged one above the other and supported from the central shaft, as described, having the inclined uppersurfaces parallel with each other and a series of boxes or compartments in each section, and covers for the boxes adapted to slide under the section next above them, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

XVILLIAM J. GANNON.

\Vitncsses:

CHAS. L. STURTEVANT, \VALTER DONALDSON.

Correction in Letters Patent No. 358,391.

It is hereby certified that Letters Patent No. 358,391, granted-February 22, 1887 upon the application of William J. Gannon, of Fort Dodge, Iowa,

7 for an improvement William L. Orrick, Mulgrew; that the said Letters Patent should have been issued to the Gannon and Michael IMulg rew only; said Gannon and in :ShoW Oases, Was erroneously issued to William J. Gannon, and Michael J,

said William J. Mulgrew being owners of the entire interest therein; and that the said Letters Patent should be read With this correction therein that the same may Patent Office.

Signed, countersigned, and sealed this 1st day of March, A. D. 1887.

conform to the record of the case in the [SEAL] D. L. HAWKINS, Acting Secretary of the Interior. Gountersigned R. B. VANCE,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

